Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Avoid murdering all of your test subjects with this Aperture Science gas mask]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/avoid-murdering-all-of-your-test-subjects-with-this-aperture-sci/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/avoid-murdering-all-of-your-test-subjects-with-this-aperture-sci/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/avoid-murdering-all-of-your-test-subjects-with-this-aperture-sci/#comments ImageOne of the only downsides associated with flooding your test facility with a deadly neurotoxin is that everything dies. That may sound like the obvious and desired result, but what if you, in your capacity as a malevolent and cunning artificial intelligence, want to keep a single test subject alive while the rest asphyxiate horribly?

Costume artist Two Horns United may have found a solution to this classic scientific dilemma with his custom built Aperture Science Portal Gun Gas Mask. While the inner workings of the mask's machinations are not fully explained, we assume it uses portal technology to funnel clean, breathable air into your squishy human test subject's dreadfully inefficient lungs. AIs interested in integrating post-traumatic stress disorder into their testing regiments can get on the waiting list by messaging Two Horns United on his DeviantArt page.

JoystiqAvoid murdering all of your test subjects with this Aperture Science gas mask originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aperture-sciencegas-maskportalportal-2portal-guntwo-horns-unitedTue, 29 May 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 Perpetual Testing Initiative success leads to Workshop sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-success-leads-to-workshop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-success-leads-to-workshop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-success-leads-to-workshop/#comments ImageValve's "Perpetual Testing Initiative" has already been yielding results, and they provide evidence for the hypothesis that people still like playing Portal 2. Since the DLC's release on May 8, the company reports that over 35,000 user-created maps have been uploaded, which have been downloaded over 1.3 million times.

To celebrate this successful experiment, Valve has discounted several items on Steam, including, of course, Portal 2, which costs just $6.79 right now! Fellow Steam Workshop title Skyrim is on sale for $40.19, and several Workshop items within Team Fortress 2 can be found for 50 percent off.

Continue reading Portal 2 Perpetual Testing Initiative success leads to Workshop sale

JoystiqPortal 2 Perpetual Testing Initiative success leads to Workshop sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2salesskyrimTeam-Fortress-2Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This realistic Portal turret is the reason you should stay in school]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/#comments
Image
This shooting, talking, laser-pointing Portal turret made by a Penn State University Advanced Mechatronics student is pretty impressive, even without its final casing. The turret tracks the position of a specific pink shirt and asks innocently after potential victims if it goes without stimulation for too long, eventually locking on and shooting foam darts at the rosy intruder.

We say it's pretty impressive in the sense that we want a dozen and we're astounded at the level of detail and care put into such a project, but at first we read the title too quickly and thought this guy had created working portals, which would be way cooler. The lesson here: However awesome your final university project may be, the things we make up in our heads will forever be more awesome. Sorry, dude.

We'll still take 12 of those turrets. Thanks.

JoystiqThis realistic Portal turret is the reason you should stay in school originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenn-stateplaystationportalportal-2portal-turretps3schoolturretuniversityxboxThu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NECA introduces P-body style Portal gun replica]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/neca-introduces-p-body-style-portal-gun-replica/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/neca-introduces-p-body-style-portal-gun-replica/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/neca-introduces-p-body-style-portal-gun-replica/#comments Image
All right, maybe we didn't really notice that the Portal gun used by P-body in Portal 2 co-op looked different. But NECA did, and designed a replica of that attractive, striped gun. The lights for this one, of course, are different from the original (we noticed that much!), glowing in orange and red.

NECA plans to make 5,000 of these, "and we'll do our best to make sure it reaches those who were not able to purchase the [previous] replica," the company said. Retailers will be announced next week.

JoystiqNECA introduces P-body style Portal gun replica originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnecapcplaystationportal-2ps3replicatoysxboxWed, 09 May 2012 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/#comments ImagePortal 2 has sold more than 4 million units worldwide since its launch on April 18, 2011, and Valve is slowly but steadily (mostly slowly) supporting it with new content, such as today's batch of DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative. The Perpetual Testing Initiative offers players a map-editing tool, which looks a lot like this, so fans can make testing chambers to rival GLaDOS'. And make maps shaped like penises, probably.

The map editor in today's DLC is accessible for new players, yet robust enough to satisfy hardcore ones, Valve tells NeoGamr. Valve's first attempt at fan-made maps, the Hammer editor, is tech-heavy and complicated for most people to get a hang of, most likely because it's Valve's in-house map creation tool - still, players have created more than 400 maps with Hammer. However, without a standardized way to share the maps, most of these have gone unnoticed by the larger community.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative's puzzle maker allows users to export their creations in Hammer's native format and continue building with the more powerful tools, if they so choose. The simple map editor is "incredibly powerful for all of its simplicity and can easily reproduce pretty much every puzzle from Portal 2," Valve said.

JoystiqThis is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCeditormap-editorpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2puzzlepuzzle-makersalesvalveTue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[50 more Portal gun replicas available for pre-order tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/#comments NECA's plan to sell an official replica of Aperture's handheld portal device - otherwise known as the Portal gun - has run into the double-whammy of rabid demand and puny production output. NECA is offering another 50 (!) replicas, which will be available for pre-order starting tonight at midnight ET, according to its Facebook page.

Just, uh, leave one for us, okay? Please? We'll buy you a delicious piece of - ah, nevermind.

Joystiq50 more Portal gun replicas available for pre-order tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aperture-handheld-portal-devicemicrosoftNECApcplaystationportalportal-2portal-gunps3valvexboxFri, 04 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/#comments
Image
Portal 2's level-editing DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative, will push the boundaries of physics and patience on May 8 for PC and Mac, and the above video shows us exactly how. It appears prolific level creator TopHATTwaffle originally uploaded the video but took it down at Valve's request, and it has since been uploaded by another, less remorseful Internet denizen.

The walkthrough shows a blank map as it switches between edit and playthrough modes, and the ease of creating unique, new Portal 2 levels. The only thing we think it's missing is the vocal stylings of J.K. Simmons, but we'll just content ourselves with drinking whisky and yelling at the screen every now and then.

JoystiqThis is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLClevel-editormacpcportal-2valveTue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[ThreeA Toys unveils prototype Portal 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 statuettes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/#comments ImageChinese design house/ridiculously detailed toy company ThreeA Toys had many different prototype products on display during its ReVenture event in Hong Kong this weekend, but the ones we're most interested in are the astonishingly accurate reproductions of Portal 2's Altus and P-Body and Metal Gear Solid 2's Metal Gear RAY.

All three statues are prototypes and as such there's no information regarding availability, pricing, how articulated they might be or what they'll even look like once they've been painted. It's also difficult to tell whether this RAY model is the manned version created by the Marines, or the unmanned mass-produced model designed by the Patriots. Either way, we desperately want these things adorning our various fireplace mantels as soon as humanly possible. Check out high-resolution shots of all three statues in the gallery below.

Gallery: ReVenture Statue Prototypes

JoystiqThreeA Toys unveils prototype Portal 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 statuettes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-figurecollectablesfigureKonamiMetal-GearMetal-Gear-RAYMetal-Gear-Solid-2PortalPortal-2RAYReVenturestatuesstatuetteThreeAtoysValveSun, 29 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 'Perpetual Testing Initiative' DLC trailer introduces multiverse crowd-sourcing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/#comments
One of GTTV's world exclusives during last night's broadcast was this Portal 2 trailer for the next free batch of DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative. The DLC allows players to create their own puzzles and publish them to Steam Workshop for others to critique and play.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative goes live on PC and Mac on May 8 - still no word on whether consoles will get this DLC, but at least we all get a humorous new trailer narrated by Cave Johnson right now.

JoystiqPortal 2 'Perpetual Testing Initiative' DLC trailer introduces multiverse crowd-sourcing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2steamsteam-workshopvalveFri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 puzzle editor DLC warps to PC and Mac May 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/portal-2-puzzle-creator-warps-to-pc-and-mac-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/portal-2-puzzle-creator-warps-to-pc-and-mac-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/portal-2-puzzle-creator-warps-to-pc-and-mac-may-8/#comments ImageThe "Perpetual Testing Initiative" DLC will arrive for the PC and Mac versions of Portal 2 on May 8. The free expansion will allow players to design their own puzzles, then publish them to the Steam Workshop for review and play by other players.

There's currently no word on when, or if, this content will be available on consoles. The PS3 version of the game supports Steam for multiplayer gameplay, but Steam Workshop support hasn't been announced; there's no Steam integration in the Xbox 360 version.

Continue reading Portal 2 puzzle editor DLC warps to PC and Mac May 8

JoystiqPortal 2 puzzle editor DLC warps to PC and Mac May 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2release-datesteamsteam-workshopThu, 26 Apr 2012 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the toy Portal gun do its thing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/watch-the-toy-portal-gun-do-its-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/watch-the-toy-portal-gun-do-its-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/watch-the-toy-portal-gun-do-its-thing/#comments
Toy maker NECA demonstrates its replica Portal gun in this video. It lights up in both orange and blue, and makes appropriate Portal-y sounds! In short, the toy does everything you'd want a Portal gun to do ... except for the one thing you'd want an actual Portal gun to do.

NECA notes on its Twitter page that pre-orders in the US are currently sold out, but "other opportunities" are coming. Perhaps you should keep an eye on that Twitter page for your next chance to get in a clicking race with other ravenous Valve fans.

JoystiqWatch the toy Portal gun do its thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnecapcplaystationportal-2portal-gunps3toysxboxWed, 28 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Life-size inflatable Portal turrets: the secret to a sophisticated home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/#comments There are plenty of shows on HGTV that will try to convince you their opinions on decorating are the end-all, be-all definition of tactful home decor, but that just ain't true. In fact, we doubt any decorating show currently broadcast today would recommend these new life-sized inflatable Portal turrets from Think Geek, even though they're clearly the coolest.

At $24.99 a pop, these 40-inch replicas can add a touch of sophistication to literally any room in your house, provided said room isn't located in the vacuum of space -- these are inflatable, after all. Best of all, these helpful sentries aren't produced in limited quantities like some other Portal merchandise we've seen lately, which means your only decorating limitation is the depth of your wallet. Remember, nothing says class like the incredibly specific smell of inflatable plastic toys.

JoystiqLife-size inflatable Portal turrets: the secret to a sophisticated home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inflatablemerchportalportal-2portal-turretthink-geektoyturretvalveWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal Gun arrives at Think Geek, goes on sale mid May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/#comments Despite a brief scare last week, NECA's replica Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device is still on its way to virtual store shelves, albeit in fairly limited quantities. Think Geek's listing for the gun has gone up with an estimated availability date of May 18, although pre-orders do not appear to be part of the plan.

Instead, interested enthusiasts register to receive an email notification once the Portal gun goes on sale; from there it's first come, first serve. NECA has only manufactured 5,000 of the $140 replicas, and considering that Portal 2 sold three million copies in its first two months on the market, we expect demand to be fairly high. Remember when you learned about sharing in kindergarden? This is why.

JoystiqPortal Gun arrives at Think Geek, goes on sale mid May originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aperture-Science-Handheld-Portal-DeviceASHPDmacmicrosoftNECApcplaystationportal-2portal-gunps3Think-GeekvalvexboxMon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2, Arkham City and BF3 clean up at 2012 BAFTA game awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/portal-2-arkham-city-and-bf3-clean-up-at-2012-bafta-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/portal-2-arkham-city-and-bf3-clean-up-at-2012-bafta-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/portal-2-arkham-city-and-bf3-clean-up-at-2012-bafta-game-awards/#comments The British Academy of Film and Television Arts had its annual awards ceremony for excellence in gaming last night (or earlier today, depending on your proximity to England), with Portal 2 winning the BAFTA for Best Game. Also in contention for that prize were Batman: Arkham City, which ended up winning the BAFTA for Action, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which didn't win anything.

Battlefield 3 took home top honors in Audio Achievement, Online Multiplayer, and the publicly voted-upon GAME Award of 2011, edging out its bitter rival Modern Warfare 3 in all three categories. Jump past the break for a full list of the evening's winners and nominees.

Continue reading Portal 2, Arkham City and BF3 clean up at 2012 BAFTA game awards

JoystiqPortal 2, Arkham City and BF3 clean up at 2012 BAFTA game awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidBAFTABAFTA-2012batman-arkham-cityBattlefield-3dsiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilemodern-warfare-3nintendopcplaystationPortal-2ps3pspskyrimsonywiixboxSat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Replica portal gun orders canceled by some retailers [update: still coming, says NECA]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/replica-portal-gun-canceled-without-reason-compassion/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/replica-portal-gun-canceled-without-reason-compassion/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/replica-portal-gun-canceled-without-reason-compassion/#comments Update: NECA claims that the Portal gun is still being prepared, but fell victim to uncontrolled numbers of pre-orders. After slamming on the brakes with certain retailers, the association aims to deliver the replica between May and June in an "organized and fair manner."

Original story:

NECA -- National Entertainment Collectibles Association -- was set to create a line of replica portal guns for public purchase in May or June this year, but it has stopped production on the piece, citing "issues" and "no longer planning on making it for the foreseeable future," according to information shared via email by distributor Entertainment Earth. "The item was never produced, and to the best of our knowledge will not be delivered to any retailer at this time."

Entertainment Earth has logged a protest with NECA, but for now it seems we'll all be $130 richer and a million-fold more heartbroken.

[Thanks, Matthew.]

JoystiqReplica portal gun orders canceled by some retailers [update: still coming, says NECA] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledEntertainment-EarthmicrosoftNECApcplaystationportal-2portal-gunps3replicaxboxMon, 12 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/#comments When Erik Wolpaw and Chet Faliszek first sat down to write Portal 2, they went mad. It certainly appears that way now, when the final version of Portal 2 that shipped in 2011 was such a resounding success, especially for a highly anticipated sequel. The first iteration Wolpaw and Faliszek envisioned got rid of three important mechanics in the Portal universe: Chell, GLaDOS and, as we knew and are still reeling over, portals. In a talk at GDC, Wolpaw and Faliszek explained why they thought that was a good idea, and how they learned it was pretty much the dumbest thing ever.

The original Portal 2 had three new things in place of the classic ideas: F-stop (the new portal mechanic), Cave Johnson (antagonist replacement) and Betty (GLaDOS substitute). Betty was a knee-high personality sphere on wheels, a piece of concept art showed, and she spoke in quick legalese, "like those ads for medicine where they show puppies while they talk about the rectal bleeding you're going to have," Wolpaw said.

Continue reading The importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been

JoystiqThe importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chellchet-faliszekErik-Wolpawgdc-2012GLAdOSmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2portalsps3valvexboxThu, 08 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario Bros. and Portal collide in 'Mari0,' now available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/super-mario-bros-and-portal-collide-in-mari0-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/super-mario-bros-and-portal-collide-in-mari0-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/super-mario-bros-and-portal-collide-in-mari0-now-available/#comments
Everyone can pack up and go home, because the pinnacle of all human achievement has been reached. Mari0, that Super Mario Bros./Portal mashup we caught wind of last August, has been completed and is now available for free on PC, OSX and Linux.

Developed by Stabyourself, Mari0 is a complete recreation of the original Super Mario Bros., with one vital difference: This time, Mario is packing an Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device. The game features simultaneous four-player co-op, a level editor, 33 hats for Mario to wear, free DLC, a Minecraft-esque toolbar for on-the-fly block creation and a slew of other hilarious modifications.

JoystiqSuper Mario Bros. and Portal collide in 'Mari0,' now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aperture-Science-Handheld-Portal-DevicefreelinuxmacMari0pcportalportal-2portal-gunStabyourselfSuper-Mario-BrosSun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Replica Portal gun coming from NECA in late spring/early summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/#comments Portal has been around for about five years at this point, and over the years we've suffered countless fits of unreasonable jealousy due to the multitudes of homemade, replica Aperture Science Handheld Portal Devices floating around the Internet. Many a night have been spent fantasizing about somehow owning our own without taking out a second mortgage, and now the dream can finally become a reality.

Well, not now now, but in a few months. NECA Toys is developing a line of licensed Valve products that include Team Fortress 2, Half Life and Left 4 Dead 2 action figures, but the crowning jewel of the series is NECA's one-to-one scale ASHPD replica. It lights up and everything. The device should be available somewhere around May or June of this year and retail for $130, according a brief video interview with NECA's Randy Falk at The Verge. We predict a mad rush on Repulsion, Propulsion and Conversion gel and Long Fall socks as soon as these things hit the shelves.

Gallery: Portal 2 (NECA Portal Gun)

JoystiqReplica Portal gun coming from NECA in late spring/early summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aperture-ScienceAperture-Science-Handheld-Portal-DevicemacmicrosoftNECANECA-ToyspcplaystationPortalportal-2portal-gunps3replicatoysValvexboxThu, 23 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim's Fall of the Space Core mod may be hiding a Portal 2 quest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/#comments

Valve released Fall of the Space Core, Vol. 1 yesterday as a harmless, clever Skyrim mod featuring a personality sphere from the Portal franchise. As far as anyone could tell, the mod was a cute Easter Egg and the sphere itself didn't do anything -- at least, it hasn't done anything yet.

YouTuber Memborable's video -- the one right up there -- shows where to find the Space Core and runs down what is does (and doesn't do). He then accesses the console and types "help portal," which pulls up a list of all the things relating to "portal" in Skyrim. One of these things is titled "portal2quest."

Valve hasn't confirmed any Portal-themed quests in Skyrim, but as the mod is titled "Vol. 1," we wouldn't be surprised to see more content, and perhaps even, yes, an entire quest.

[Thanks, Jarrett!]

JoystiqSkyrim's Fall of the Space Core mod may be hiding a Portal 2 quest originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworkselder-scrolls-5Fall-of-the-Space-Core-Vol-1modpcportalportal-2Portal-2-questskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimvalveWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim's Creation Kit released with 'surprise' High-Resolution Texture Pack, Portal cameo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/skyrims-creation-kit-released-with-surprise-high-resolution-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/skyrims-creation-kit-released-with-surprise-high-resolution-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/skyrims-creation-kit-released-with-surprise-high-resolution-t/#comments Tamriel's PC adventurers have finally been granted access to the long-awaited Creation Kit for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. A special surprise was promised with today's release, coming in the form of a High-Resolution Texture Pack for the game. "Experience The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as you've never seen it before with the Skyrim High-Resolution Texture Pack," a press release noted.

Skyrim also becomes the second title to be featured on the Steam Workshop, which acts as a "central hub of player-created content and tools to publish, organize, and download that content into your games."

Valve and Bethesda have teamed up to bring users the Space Sphere mod, which adds the space-loving robot from Portal 2 to the game, following players around the world (pictured above). While the special mod appeared on Steam earlier today, it has since vanished. Joystiq has contacted Valve and Bethesda to find out when the new companion will land back on the dragon-infested planet. [Update: Steam Workshop is back online! Enjoy your new talkative friend!]

Steam is also featuring the Elder Scrolls series in a mid-week sale, offering a discount on each game in the series or a bundle (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim) for $49.99.

JoystiqSkyrim's Creation Kit released with 'surprise' High-Resolution Texture Pack, Portal cameo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Game-Studioscreation-kitelder-scrolls-5modspcportal-2skyrimSteamsteam-workshopthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimTue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim takes top honors at NY Video Game Critics Circle Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/skyrim-takes-top-honors-at-ny-video-game-critics-circle-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/skyrim-takes-top-honors-at-ny-video-game-critics-circle-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/skyrim-takes-top-honors-at-ny-video-game-critics-circle-awards/#comments You'd have to be a fus-ro-dummy to think that Skyrim would be through with receiving accolades. At last night's New York Video Game Critics Circle Awards, the Bethesda Game Studios-developed RPG took home yet one more, earning the "Big Apple Award for Best Game" as decided by a cabal of NY-based game journos from various outlets.

Other winners include two apiece for Bastion and Portal 2, portable love for Super Mario 3D Land and Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP, and explosive nods to both Crysis 2 and Saints Row: The Third. Harold Goldberg's "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" took home the "Algonquin Roundtable Award for Best Book" and Sony's "Michael" commercial won the "Mad Men Award," mysteriously beating out Robin Williams' luxurious beard. Frankly, we were baffled. The full list of winners can be found below the break.

Continue reading Skyrim takes top honors at NY Video Game Critics Circle Awards

JoystiqSkyrim takes top honors at NY Video Game Critics Circle Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsall-your-base-are-belong-to-usbastionbethesdabethesda-game-studiosbethesda-softworkscantor-film-centercrysis-2elder-scrolls-5game-centerharold-goldbergiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilenew-york-citynew-york-game-critics-circlenew-york-game-critics-circle-awardsnew-york-game-critics-circle-awards-2012new-york-universitynintendonyu-game-centerpcplaystationportal-2ps3saints-row-the-thirdskyrimsuper-mario-3d-landsuperbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-epthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimxboxFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve games come to Impulse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/#comments Valve, proprietor of Steam -- which is basically the Walmart of PC digital distribution -- now has its games available on Impulse. Your confusion is as great as ours, but here we are.

The Impulse store, owned by GameStop, announced last week that Valve titles would become available on the service. Apparently, the shock of this caused almost everyone in the media not to report this fact for an awkward length of time.

The Valve games available through Impulse right now are Portal 2, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, The Orange Box, and Half-Life Complete. Best part: the games still require Steam to play.

JoystiqValve games come to Impulse originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamestophalf-life-2Impulseleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Orange-Boxpcportal-2SteamValveTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA['This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/#comments
This past holiday, while we were busy sipping eggnog and chorusing the neighbors with classic holiday tunes, a group of dedicated Steam forum members were creating an incredible Christmas music album featuring Valve characters. "Goodbye Christmas Caroline" spawned more than an album, though, as one especially holiday spirit-filled member then crafted an entire music video around one particular track.

"This is Aperture" takes the characters we've come to know and love fear from the world of Aperture Science and recasts them as singers in a magnificently dorky rendition of The Nightmare Before Christmas' "This is Halloween." Take a look at the rather impressive re-creation above and then compare it against the original just after the break! Consider it a late holiday gift from us to you, but, ya know, one that we totally didn't make.

Continue reading 'This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas

Joystiq'This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aperture-scienceforumsgoodbye-christmas-carolineportal-2steamsteam-forumsthe-nightmare-before-christmasvalvevalve-softwareFri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Let GLaDOS guide you to your destination, you monster]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/let-glados-guide-you-to-your-destination-you-monster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/let-glados-guide-you-to-your-destination-you-monster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/let-glados-guide-you-to-your-destination-you-monster/#comments She's certainly not the first celebrity to do some voice work for the GPS industry, but she's by far the coolest. Joining the likes of Snoop Dogg, Homer Simpson and Yoda is GLaDOS, available in a new fan-made custom voice pack over on Reddit.

It's a zip file with a bunch of wav files in it, compatible with Garmin Nuvi units -- the files should also work with Garmin Mobile XT units -- and is available as a free download to everyone who wants to be berated by an artificial intelligence while hunting down the closest Burger King. Don't say we didn't warn you!

JoystiqLet GLaDOS guide you to your destination, you monster originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gladosgpsmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvevoicevoice-packxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Platinum's Kamiya hoping to announce his own game in 2012, Fumito Ueda loves Portal 2, and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/platinums-kamiya-hoping-to-announce-his-own-game-in-2012-fumit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/platinums-kamiya-hoping-to-announce-his-own-game-in-2012-fumit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/platinums-kamiya-hoping-to-announce-his-own-game-in-2012-fumit/#comments Since Bayonetta's late 2009/early 2010 debut, director Hideki Kamiya has gone relatively quiet. And while he remains that way for now, it seems we may see some movement from him this year, as he told 4Gamer in its big "looking back on 2011" Japanese developer feature (via Andriasang) that he "would like to announce a new game and make a comeback on the game scene and be known as more than just some guy who posts on Twitter," as his hope for 2012. Bizarrely, he didn't name a single favorite game from the last year, choosing instead to say "nothing in particular" struck his fancy, while Nintendo's eShop "3D Classics" were his favorite entertainment content last year.

The feature also features a cadre of Square Enix devs, who hilariously all named Skryim their favorite game of the year (with the exception of a single producer), while the no longer Sony-affiliated Last Guardian creative lead Fumito Ueda put Portal 2 at the top of his list. He was also quick to point out that "The Last Guardian is in development, with the staff hoping to meet expectations even though with each game they taste the difficulties of creation." Okay then!

Catherine and Dark Souls also got nods from a variety of devs, as did Super Mario 3D Land. And hey, you know where we stand.

JoystiqPlatinum's Kamiya hoping to announce his own game in 2012, Fumito Ueda loves Portal 2, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catherinedark-soulsfumito-uedahideki-kamiyaplatinumplatinum-gamesportal-2square-enixsuper-mario-3d-landFri, 06 Jan 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Portal 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-portal-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-portal-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-portal-2/#comments The success of the Portal games comes from a combination of two completely different aspects: gameplay and narrative. Portal 2 is, on one hand, a great puzzle game in the classic tradition, sending you through a series of enclosed, self-contained puzzles. These require the arrangement of provided tools to create a single, predetermined "solution" and allow you to advance.

On the other hand, it's the story of the rise and fall of a gigantic research company, and of '60s-style "for its own sake" science -- it even has Flubber! -- told years after the fact, diegetically, by two rogue AIs and a series of tape recordings. And it's genuinely funny!

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Portal 2

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2011: Portal 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electronic-artsjoystiq-best-of-2011microsoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvexboxWed, 04 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/#comments Is there a Martha Stewart Living for Nerds monthly periodical we never knew about? We're all about games and interior decorations, but we don't know how one learns to combine those two with such grace and ease as this, the greatest Christmas tree ever, and perhaps the greatest tree ever. Behold: The Portal Christmas tree, the full glory of which can be seen after the jump.

We're typically ones to pull down (and mulch) our arboreal holiday decor on December the 26th, but we don't know that we'd ever be able to part with a tree this magical. We'd leave it up, explaining to visitors that, oh, this is our Valentine's Day tree, and also our Easter tree, and Flag Day tree, and so on.

Continue reading Portal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer

JoystiqPortal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidaymicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvexboxMon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 crowned best game of 2011 by the Associated Press]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/portal-2-crowned-best-game-of-2011-by-the-associated-press/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/portal-2-crowned-best-game-of-2011-by-the-associated-press/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/portal-2-crowned-best-game-of-2011-by-the-associated-press/#comments The AP has unleashed its list of top ten games this year and ... it's a pretty competent list. Not only did Bastion make the cut, but so did Rayman Origins and, as you may have guessed from the headline to this very post, Portal 2.

Valve's game took top honors, followed by Skyrim and then Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Rounding out the top five are Bastion and Rocksteady's sequel, Batman: Arkham City. In a year so full of great games, we envy AP's finished list -- for us, the work of choosing our favorite games of 2011 is only about to begin.

JoystiqPortal 2 crowned best game of 2011 by the Associated Press originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionbatman-arkham-citydeus-ex-human-revolutiongoty-2011microsoftnintendopcplaystationportal-2ps3rayman-originsskyrimsonywiixboxTue, 20 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GlaDOS' voice will return in Dota 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/glados-voice-will-return-in-dota-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/glados-voice-will-return-in-dota-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/glados-voice-will-return-in-dota-2/#comments Ellen McLain, the voice of none other than Portal 2's GlaDOS, was probably the most charming celebrity to stroll down the red carpet at the Spike Video Game Awards. Sure, the reality show stars and athletes may have attracted more attention, but McLain was all smiles as she used her operatic voice to talk about how great the limo ride to the show was. "This is so funny," she laughed, "the last time I was in a limo was in LA in 1981 with Rex Harrison! So only thirty years later, I have my second limo ride!"

McLain said she too has been charmed, by the fan response to her popular character. "I love the way the fans are wondering who is Chell, is Chell the offspring of GlaDOS and Cave Johnson, all this stuff. And I also think that the Portal games have drawn a lot of young women into gaming." She said that she and husband John Patrick Lowrie, who also does voices for Valve's games, have "gone to some fancons, and the women are so excited, they come in and they're either dressed up like Chell or they're dressed up like GlaDOS."

And we haven't heard the last of McLain yet. "Eric Wolpaw told me in the limo," she said, "that it has been announced, John and I have both done voices for Dota 2. So we're going to be in there."

"There are a lot of characters in Dota 2," confirmed Lowrie. "There are like 100 characters, so we've done quite a few of them."

JoystiqGlaDOS' voice will return in Dota 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dota-2ellen-mcclaineric-wolpawjohn-patrick-lowriemicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3spike-vga-2011valvevgasxboxSun, 11 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rate your childhood against this kid's Portal-themed bedroom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/rate-your-childhood-against-this-kids-portal-themed-bedroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/rate-your-childhood-against-this-kids-portal-themed-bedroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/rate-your-childhood-against-this-kids-portal-themed-bedroom/#comments

After ruminating on the things we're thankful for, spending days acting courteous and compassionate with family and friends, we're about due for some good, old-fashioned envy. Little Vector Farr has possibly the coolest bedroom a kid could ask for -- It's Portal-themed, complete with companion-cube plushies, propulsion gel on his mat, portal panels and a GLaDOS camera above his bed.

But why stop there? We're not only envious of this kid's stuff, we covet his inclusion in a family that is obviously way radder than our own, and a father who is teaching him the truly important things in life, such as physics and how to treat our future robot overlords. His name is Vector. We want that too.

And if all that jealousy weren't enough, Vector has a Portal-themed bathroom as well, attached directly to his Portal-themed room. Yeah. Happy holidays, everyone.

Continue reading Rate your childhood against this kid's Portal-themed bedroom

JoystiqRate your childhood against this kid's Portal-themed bedroom originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>envyJames-Farrmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2Portal-bedroomps3Vector-FarrxboxSun, 27 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2's second DLC is an 'in-game editor,' arrives 'early next year']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/portal-2s-second-dlc-is-an-in-game-editor-arrives-early-nex/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/portal-2s-second-dlc-is-an-in-game-editor-arrives-early-nex/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/portal-2s-second-dlc-is-an-in-game-editor-arrives-early-nex/#comments Valve has just unveiled plans for the second downloadable content package coming to this year's big sequel, Portal 2: an "in-game editor!" According to a PR statement from the company, the next DLC is currently "in development and targeted for release early next year."

Apparently some form of community functionality will be attached to player creations, allowing other users to "view, play, and vote" on various levels. Outside of some cursory details -- the editor will allow players to create and share both single-player and co-op levels -- little is known about how editing will work, or if the DLC will arrive on both PC/Mac and consoles.

With Steam support on all but one console, the Xbox 360, we wouldn't be surprised if the second Portal 2 DLC doesn't arrive everywhere. But then Valve head Gabe Newell indicated differently in a recent interview, so we just can't be sure. We've reached out to Valve for some clarity.

Gallery: Portal 2 (Map Editor)

Continue reading Portal 2's second DLC is an 'in-game editor,' arrives 'early next year'

JoystiqPortal 2's second DLC is an 'in-game editor,' arrives 'early next year' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opdlcdownloadable-contentin-game-editormacmap-editormicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvevalve-softwarexboxFri, 21 Oct 2011 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Hours of Portal 2 app talks possible level editor features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/final-hours-of-portal-2-app-talks-possible-level-editor-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/final-hours-of-portal-2-app-talks-possible-level-editor-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/final-hours-of-portal-2-app-talks-possible-level-editor-features/#comments Earlier today, when Geoff Keighley tweeted that his own app for the iPad (also now available on Steam), The Final Hours of Portal 2, had been updated with a new (and free) 2,500 word chapter, we rushed to our iPad to check it out. After wrestling over the company iPad for a while, we finally came to an agreement: Justin would read it aloud in his best southern accent. It was the only peaceful solution, you see.

While we can't relay the news with the dapper draw of a southern gentleman, we can confirm this new chapter focuses on Valve's attempt to make an easier-to-use level editor and an in-game level browser -- Valve even hopes to bring the latter to console versions of the game. The company is also looking at the possibility of adding GLaDOS to the editor. We can already imagine her berating us for how long it takes to rotate a ramp.

Those who previously purchased the app get free access to the new chapter. The app itself is currently available on iPad and Steam for $1.99.

JoystiqFinal Hours of Portal 2 app talks possible level editor features originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geoff-keighleyiosipadmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationportal-2ps3steamvalvexboxWed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official plush Portal turrets deploying this December]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/official-plush-portal-turrets-deploying-this-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/official-plush-portal-turrets-deploying-this-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/official-plush-portal-turrets-deploying-this-december/#comments Are you still there? We've seen our share of homemade Portal turrets, even huggable ones. What we haven't seen, until today, is an official (and huggable) Portal turret that doesn't require crafting skills and a significant time investment. Enter ThinkGeek, which will exclusively offer its plushie Portal turret this December.

The adorable menace comes complete with a glowing red eye and motion detector, and will spout its trademark lines when someone (or an unsuspecting pet) saunters by. The turret even has context appropriate quotes when it is picked up or knocked over ("critical error," etc). The plushie goes on sale in mid-December. Interested test subjects can sign up for an email notification of its availability over at ThinkGeek.

Unlike real Aperture Science turrets, it appears the plush model only comes in one color.

JoystiqOfficial plush Portal turrets deploying this December originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvexboxTue, 18 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This is your life if GLaDOS had control of your iPhone 4S]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-is-your-life-if-glados-had-control-of-your-iphone-4s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-is-your-life-if-glados-had-control-of-your-iphone-4s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/this-is-your-life-if-glados-had-control-of-your-iphone-4s/#comments

In many ways, Aldous Huxley was right -- our entertainment technology has made us a happily complacent species, imprisoned by our own electronic conformity mechanisms. George Orwell was also correct on a few theories of invasive government control. No one was more correct, however, than the great modern philosopher Erik Wolpaw and his overarching theses on Portal theory and lemons. Now, all of these dystopias have merged into one: GLaDOSiri on the iPhone 4S.

Apple's Siri system enables natural-language voice control for a myriad of uses on the iPhone 4S, and GLaDOSiri makes all of those so much more masochistic, just the way we like it. If this were a real thing, we'd be all over it like children on Soma.

JoystiqThis is your life if GLaDOS had control of your iPhone 4S originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GLAdOSiosiphoneiphone-4smicrosoftmobilepcplaystationportal-2ps3xboxFri, 07 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Portal 2 DLC, PS2 Classics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psn-tuesday-portal-2-dlc-ps2-classics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psn-tuesday-portal-2-dlc-ps2-classics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psn-tuesday-portal-2-dlc-ps2-classics/#comments There's new stuff on PSN today, most prominently that freebie Portal 2 DLC. But there's also an absurd wealth of old stuff! There's a new version of Crysis, HD Dreamcast ports (Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2), the PSOne port of Chrono Trigger, and five PS2 games -- including Clover Studio's brutally difficult, equally strange cult hit God Hand.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: Portal 2 DLC, PS2 Classics

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Portal 2 DLC, PS2 Classics originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationportal-2ps2-classicsps3psnpsn-tuesdaypsone-classicspspsonyTue, 04 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Portal 2's 'Peer Review' DLC now available, full game for half price on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psa-portal-2s-peer-review-dlc-now-available-full-game-for-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psa-portal-2s-peer-review-dlc-now-available-full-game-for-h/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/psa-portal-2s-peer-review-dlc-now-available-full-game-for-h/#comments It may have missed it's planned "summer" launch window, but Portal 2's first, totally free DLC "Peer Review" is being made available to download today via Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Valve's own Steam distribution service. As previously detailed, the content delivers a brand new co-op track for everybody's favorite anthropomorphic duo, and once again features everybody's favorite murderous robot.

And hey, if for some crazy reason you don't already own Portal 2, we're not sure we can continue this relationship. But we've got a way you can get things fixed up: pick up the game on the cheap right now, for just $14.99 (that's 50 percent off, folks).

Continue reading PSA: Portal 2's 'Peer Review' DLC now available, full game for half price on Steam

JoystiqPSA: Portal 2's 'Peer Review' DLC now available, full game for half price on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contentfreemacmicrosoftpcpeer-reviewplaystationportal-2ps3psapublic-service-announcementq4-2011release-datesteamvalvevalve-softwarexboxTue, 04 Oct 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2's Turret Lullaby comic sheds light and lasers on the singing turrets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/portal-2s-turret-lullaby-comic-sheds-light-and-lasers-on-the-si/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/portal-2s-turret-lullaby-comic-sheds-light-and-lasers-on-the-si/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/02/portal-2s-turret-lullaby-comic-sheds-light-and-lasers-on-the-si/#comments Valve keeps plenty of secrets from the world, locked away and tied down with live, stripped wires above a shallow pool of stale water, surrounded by a moat of baby hippopotamuses -- but this secret got out. Turret Lullaby is a six-page Portal 2 comic that explains the birth of the singing turrets. We don't want to give it away, but it involves a baby, a burglar and a lot of bullets.

JoystiqPortal 2's Turret Lullaby comic sheds light and lasers on the singing turrets originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicsmacmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3singing-turretsvalvexboxSun, 02 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Portal 2 'Peer Review' DLC drops on October 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/free-portal-2-peer-review-dlc-drops-on-october-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/free-portal-2-peer-review-dlc-drops-on-october-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/free-portal-2-peer-review-dlc-drops-on-october-4/#comments So much for "mid-September," eh? Valve has announced that the first DLC for Portal 2, which is called "Peer Review," will be available for free download on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on October 4.

"Peer Review" continues the cooperative exploits of Atlas and P-Body, the two beloved robot protagonists in Portal 2's co-op campaign. GLaDOS will also be featured as the two tackle a new co-op test track. However, the DLC will also include a Challenge mode for both co-op and single-player with full leaderboard support.

To help ease the pain of waiting for free stuff, Valve's offering, uh, free stuff! You can download the third and final group of tracks from Portal 2's soundtrack, Music to Test By, right now by heading on over to Valve's site here.

Continue reading Free Portal 2 'Peer Review' DLC drops on October 4

JoystiqFree Portal 2 'Peer Review' DLC drops on October 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3psnsteamvalvexboxxbox-liveFri, 30 Sep 2011 14:51:00 EST<![CDATA[These Portal 2 thigh-high bootie socks will kill you with cuteness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/these-portal-2-thigh-high-bootie-socks-will-kill-you-with-cutene/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/these-portal-2-thigh-high-bootie-socks-will-kill-you-with-cutene/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/these-portal-2-thigh-high-bootie-socks-will-kill-you-with-cutene/#comments Have you seen these things? You may have, once, but most likely your brain's cuteness centers automatically short-circuited and you blacked out, banged your head against the hard wood of your desk, accidentally unplugged your computer's power cord and eventually woke up, dazed, drooling and slightly dumber, with no recollection of these adorable Portal 2 Long Fall booties from J!NX.

Prepare yourself this time, and to guarantee you don't forget them, go ahead and buy a pair. At $10, go ahead and buy five pairs, and wear them all at once, for padding when you look down, realize how cute your lower body is, and you short-circuit, black out and fall. Depending on your height and where you're standing at the time -- 6'4", on top of Mount Rushmore -- that could be a long fall.

JoystiqThese Portal 2 thigh-high bootie socks will kill you with cuteness originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootiesjnxLong-Fall-Socksmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3socksxboxSun, 25 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dan Trachtenberg talks the past and future of Portal: No Escape]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/dan-trachtenberg-talks-the-past-and-future-of-portal-no-escape/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/dan-trachtenberg-talks-the-past-and-future-of-portal-no-escape/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/04/dan-trachtenberg-talks-the-past-and-future-of-portal-no-escape/#comments

Things we knew about Dan Trachtenberg's astounding live-action short film, Portal: No Escape:
  • It's fantastic.
  • Trachtenberg did a fabulous job directing it.
  • It's really fantastic.
And that was about it, until now. Trachtenberg opened up about casting, filming, the special effects and amount of time it took to make No Escape in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, and it seems like a modern-day short-film fairy tale. Things we know about Trachtenberg's Portal: No Escape now:
  • Trachtenberg used Twitter to track down his production team, hiring people from New York to the Netherlands to work on the special effects.
  • Danielle Rayne, the film's protagonist (we'll call her Chell), plays Sarah Connor in the live-action T2 experience at Universal Studios.
  • Trachtenberg fell in love with Joss Whedon. Er, Whedon's motto: "You take people, you put them in peril, you find out what they're made of."
  • He plans on making feature films and more Portal films, but not necessarily in that order or entirely separately.

JoystiqDan Trachtenberg talks the past and future of Portal: No Escape originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan-Trachtenbergdanielle-raynela-timesmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2portal: no escapePortal:NoEscapeps3xboxSun, 04 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST